Modern Vespa

We all know checking oil is a PITA - and I'm considering the sight glass - but for now, am I the only one that finds it hard even to read the stock dipstick?

Nope, I have a hard time reading it as well. I find it easier to use the alternate oil level check method by just sticking it in the fill hole (don't screw it in) and then I check that the oil level is to the minimum mark. If it is, it should be the correct level.

no I also find it hard to read the dipstick, the light has to be just right

What is so difficult then?

I think when you unscrew and remove the dipstick, it smears the oil level just enough to make it difficult to tell where the actual level is.

generally i find that only one side smears so I assume the non smeared side is accurate enough

At least on my Super HPE, I have found that both sides of my dipstick smear when I pull it out. I guess I'll stick with the alternate method of checking oil level. It's much easier to read it that way.

It is not by unscrewing that you create waves in the oil that would lead to misreading.
When it is anywhere between min and max it is OK.

It's a pain in the ass to access and read. I will be doing the site glass at the next oil change.

I just put in my order to SIP for the remaining stuff to get Thelonica to serious highway-worthiness-and-such, which includes the Buchsenfuchs (damnit, I still cannot say or write that name with a straight face) sight-glass-equipped oil pan, while shipping charges are still relatively sane. There's also one other little item Buchsenfuchs makes which apparently is only available directly from them, and since their site is entirely in German, I'll need to contact them directly about it: it's essentially a hose/line that replaces the oil cap/dipstick for the HPE, and runs up into the engine compartment, allowing you to add oil by removing the Per Carrier basket, and (presumably) using a small funnel to add oil, rather than getting on your knees to do the job. Between this and the new oil pan (which I'll have he dealer swap in at the bike's first service), keeping tabs on Nica's oil level should be much less of a hassle.